Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

90MAUVAIS TON OF A FRENCHMAN,

travels as agent for several French commercial houses who have associated, he says, to carry into effect these important objects ; but his head, although full of grave commercial ideas, finds place, nevertheless, for all the songs and bon mots that have been popular in Paris for the last twenty years- Before turning merchant he had been a lancer, and he has preserved, in his air and attitudes, some amusing traces of Iris former profession. He never speaks to the Russians without alluding to French superiority in matters of every description; but his vanity is too palpable to become offensive, or to excite anything beyond a laugh.

When singing he casts tender glances upon the ladies; when declaiming the Parisienne and the Marseillaise) he folds his cloak around liim with a theatrical air : Iris store of songs and sayings, although rather jovial in character, much amuses our fair strangers. In listening to him they seem to believe they are on a visit to Paris. The mauvais ton of this specimen of French manners by no means strikes them, because they do not comprehend its source or its scope; a language which they cannot understand cannot disgust them; besides, persons belonging to really good society are always the last to be annoyed or alarmed. The fear of being lowered in position does not oblige them to take offence at everything that is said.

The old Prince Кand myself laugh between

ourselves at the language to which they listen; they laugh on their part with the innocence of an ignorance unacquainted with the point where good taste ceases, and where French vulgarity begins.

Vulgarity commences so soon as the individual